Doppler Pulmonary Venous Flow Research Articles

Alteration of Pulmonary Venous Flow Doppler Post Transcatheter Closure of Atrial Septal Defect

Background: Atrial septal defect is a common congenital heart anomaly results in hemodynamically significant right ventriclular volume overload and an increase in the pulmonary venous flow.
 Aim: Evaluate changes of pulmonary venous flow parameters after transcatheter closure of secundum atrial septal defect.
 Patients and Methods: 50 patients with atrial septal defect aged from 3.5 to 31 years were included in the study. Pulmonary venous flow Doppler and right ventricular function were evaluated before and after successful transcatheter closure by transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiography.
 Results: The defect size ranged from 15 to 37mm with a mean (24.96 ±7.52), Normal systolic and diastolic waves of pulmonary venous flow Doppler were replaced by a continuous antegrade wave (mean 60±13.6 cm/s) in all atrial septal defect patients. Post-closure, the normal pulmonary venous flow pattern was regained, two separate waves, with a significant decrease in mean peak Systolic wave velocity (44.54±8.12 cm/sec vs 69.61±12.37, P=0.000), the mean peak Diastolic Wave velocity (55.85±9.81 cm/sec vs 72.65±10.38, P=0.000) and a significant increase in the mean peak atrial reversal wave velocity (28.75±4.63cm/sec vs 21.18±3.64, P=0.000). In multivariate regression analysis, significant predictors of haemodynamic significant ASD were ASD size,(odds ratio 1.508, P=0.007, 95% CI 1.153,2.671) and ASD/IAS ratio (odds ratio 2.313, P=0.001, 95% CI 1.064,3.104).
 Conclusions: Atrial septal defect patients have characteristic pulmonary venous flow pattern: continuous antegrade wave with systolic predominance and decrease in atrial reversal wave, which return to normal after closure. These changes could be helpful echocardiographic tool in prediction of successful closure of the defect.

Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome With Intact or Restrictive Atrial Septum

Infants with hypoplastic left heart syndrome and an intact or highly restrictive atrial septum (HLHS-IAS) represent a high-risk subset. Fetal cardiac intervention (FCI) for fetuses with HLHS-IAS has been reported in single-institution series as a therapy that may improve outcomes. This study uses the International Fetal Cardiac Intervention Registry (IFCIR) to examine fetal and maternal characteristics and pregnancy and neonatal outcome data for FCI in this population. For this descriptive analysis, the IFCIR was queried for fetuses with HLHS-IAS evaluated between 2001 and March 2015 for possible FCI and felt to be candidates at the referral center by a variety of published criteria including foramen ovale (FO) size, shunt flow direction across the FO, and pulmonary venous Doppler flow patterns. It includes those who were determined not to be candidates because of other fetal noncardiac conditions, maternal conditions, or maternal preferences, or because FCI was not performed at the participating institution. Further details on the methodology of the IFCIR registry are found in the initial report.1 Participating IFCIR member sites obtained local institutional review board and ethics board approval or a waiver, as governed …

Added value of pulmonary venous flow Doppler assessment in patients with preserved ejection fraction and its contribution to the diastolic grading paradigm

To evaluate the prognostic role of pulmonary venous flow parameters and their role in patients with preserved ejection fraction (EF). Pulmonary venous flow parameters were measured in 365 patients in sinus rhythm, without significant mitral disease, and EF >50% (age 64.9 ± 19; 52% female) by a single sonographer. Survival, time to re-admission for heart failure, and to a combined cardiac end point (cardiac death, heart failure, and atrial fibrillation) were retrospectively analysed and correlated to echo parameters. Systolic (S) and diastolic (D) pulmonary vein flow were obtainable in 73% of patients and Ar in 65%. The lower peak S/D ratio and higher ΔAr-A time were associated with higher rate of heart failure readmission (P = 0.03 for both). The S/D integral ratio was the best pulmonary vein flow predictor of heart failure readmissions (P = 0.0009), better than the peak S/D ratio, or ΔA-Ar time (P < 0.01 for both), and independently predicted worse outcome even when adjusted for diastolic grading (using recent guidelines), left ventricle mass index, E/e', and left atrial volume index (P < 0.05 for all). The addition S/D ratio to diastolic grading recognized patients with pseudo-normal filling pattern and S/D ratio >1 with similar clinical outcomes to grade I (P > 0.5), but worse clinical outcomes than in the pseudo-normal patients with lower S/D ratio (P < 0.01). PVFP are obtainable in most patients, add prognostic information on top of routine diastolic parameters, and define an early stage of diastolic dysfunction resembling the pseudo-normal pattern in which S/D ratio is >1, and outcome is excellent.

Fetal pulmonary venous Doppler flow patterns in hypoplastic left heart syndrome

To discuss the value of fetal pulmonary venous Doppler flow patterns in hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS). Forty-six HLHS and 180 normal singleton fetuses at 24+0 to 37+6 weeks of gestation were enrolled in this study. The blood flow of pulmonary vein (PV) was detected by color Doppler ultrasound. The systolic wave of ventricle (S-wave), diastolic wave of ventricle (D-wave), atrial contraction wave (A-wave) and S/D ratio of PV were measured. The statistical difference in the above parameters between HLHS and normal fetuses was compared. The diagnosis was also confirmed by autopsy in still birth or postnatal follow-up when the baby was alive. The PV blood flow in HLHS fetuses had a high possibility of reversed A wave, and the velocity of S wave and S/D ratio were higher than the matched normal controls (P<0.001). There were 3 types of PV blood flow patterns among all fetuses with HLHS. Both the cases with right to left shunt through foramen ovale (FO) and the cases with restricted left to right shunt at FO showed the triphasic patterns of PV with antegrade S wave, D wave and retrograde A wave. However, the latter had a higher velocity of retrograde A wave (P<0.001), lower D wave (P<0.001), and obviously elevated S wave and S/D ratio (P<0.001). The cases with intact interatrial septum showed short and apparent pulsatile back and forth blood flow in the PV, which displayed as absence of D wave. The 3 types of PV blood flow patterns in the fetuses with HLHS reflect the severity of hypertension in the left atrium, which is extremely vital for the prognosis and the perinatal treatment plan.

Pulmonary vasoreactivity to materno-fetal hyperoxygenation in fetuses with Hypoplastic Left Heart

Purpose: Firstly to describe the response of fetal lung vasculature to maternal hyperoxygenation (MH) in case of prenatally diagnosed hypoplastic left heart (HLH) with intact or restrictive (IAS/RAS) and without restriction of the atrial septum, secondly to evaluate the ability of MH to differentiate between newborns with HLH without need for immediate atrial septostomy and newborns who will undergo immediate left atrial septoplasty after birth, thirdly to compare these data with pulmonary venous Doppler flow spectra and 2-D evaluation of the interatrial communication in case of HLH.

Evaluation of early left-ventricular remodeling six months after heart transplantation

Cardiologia CROATICA Background: At the time of transplantation, donor heart is susceptible to a myriad of factors including both ischaemia and acute immune response that could result in early and reversible thickening of the left ventricular wall. It is vital to differentiate that early thickening of the left ventricular (LV) wall from late hypertrophy that is due to denervation, immune response and myoproliferation. Therefore, we compared early postoperative echocardiography findings with the same measurements performed six months after transplantation. Methods: 22 patients after heart transplantation were assessed by echocardiography during postoperative hospital stay and at the follow-up visit at six months using standard M-mode, 2D and Doppler measurements. Baseline measurements of end-diastolic interventricular septum (IVSd), LV posterior wall thickness (LVPWd) and LV cavity dimension (LVIDd) were assessed using M-mode echocardiography. LV mass was estimated in calculation using cubed formula, volumes and systolic function were assessed using Simpson method. Diastolic function was assessed through analysis of transmitral and pulmonary venous Doppler flow and tissue Doppler analysis of movement of mitral anulus and classified according to grades of disfunction. Student T-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: IVSd decreased significantly from 11.8 mm ±2 to 9.3 mm ±2 (P<0.01) while LVPWd thickness decreased from 11.7 mm ±3 to 9,3 mm ±3 (P<0.01). LVIDd significantly increased in the follow up from average 44.9 mm to 47.7 mm (P<0.02) while LV mass decreased significantly from 197.1 g to 156.4 g (P<0.01) with no statistically significant change in LV volumes (P=0.49 for change in end-diastolic volumes, P=0.37 for change in end-systolic volumes). There was a significant improvement in diastolic function (P<0.05), and no change in systolic function (P=0.74). Conclusions: Statistically significant remodeling of implanted hearts 6 months after heart transplantation was found in all 22 patients. Thickness of interventricular septum and posterior wall in almost all patients immediately after heart transplantation was on the upper limit of normal or showing mild hypertrophy according to measurements, but after six months all the values decreased and normalized. Also, the patients that were showing diastolic dysfunction showed normal inflow patterns after six months. We presume this is the consequence of postoperative interstitial oedema that could result both from prolonged ischemia during transportation as well as early immune response of the host, but which appears to be a normal finding early after heart transplantation.

Pulmonary Venous Doppler Flow Profile before and after Surgical Closure of Atrial Septal Defect in Children

ABSTRACT Objectives A secundum atrial septal defect is associated with a characteristic pattern of continuous antegrade wave on a pulmonary venous Doppler flow profile. It is replaced with a regular S and D wave after the closure of defect. Although, a few published reports have described these features in adults, there are not enough studies in pediatric patients under anesthesia. Setting A tertiary referral center. Participants A total of 12 children with uncomplicated secundum atrial septal defect participated in the evaluation process. Interventions After anesthesia induction, three of them were excluded from detailed pulmonary venous study as they did not satisfy selection criteria. In remaining nine children, the intraoperative pulmonary venous Doppler changes were assessed before and after the defect closure, manually tracing the pulmonary venous waveforms. Measurements and main results The antegrade wave was observed in 9/9 patients before surgery that characteristically lacked distinct systolic and diastolic waves, although in seven patients, a larger systolic peak and a smaller diastolic peak were identified. Normal S and D waves were seen after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass with S/D ratio &gt;1 in all cases. The maximum velocity of atrial retrograde wave increased and heart rate decreased significantly after surgery. Conclusion The continuous antegrade wave is a consistent pulmonary venous Doppler feature of an uncomplicated secundum ASD in anesthetized children. The Doppler pattern is normalized immediately after termination of cardiopulmonary bypass. How to cite this article Gadhinglajkar S, Sreedhar R, Menon S, Omprakash S. Pulmonary Venous Doppler Flow Profile before and after Surgical Closure of Atrial Septal Defect in Children. J Perioper Echocardiogr 2013;1(2):42-47.

The Use of Reconstructive Surgery to Improve Quality of Life and Survival in Prenatal Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Outcomes for hypoplastic left heart syndrome have improved substantially in the era of prenatal diagnosis. Current stage 1 survival rates are in excess of 90% in the absence of risk factors. However, fetuses with an intact atrial septum continue to have poor postnatal survival. Accurate diagnosis of these fetuses with an intact atrial septum relies upon careful assessment of the patent foramen ovale, pulmonary venous Doppler flow patterns and branch pulmonary artery Doppler flow patterns. Prenatal and perinatal interventions, such as the placement of an atrial stent in utero or delivery at a center where a stent may be placed immediately after birth to relieve left atrial hypertension, may improve survival in this particularly high-risk group.

Assessing Atrial Mechanical Remodeling and Its Consequences

The principal function of the left atrium is to modulate left ventricular (LV) filling and cardiovascular performance through reservoir, conduit, and booster pump functions; the latter is often (mistakenly) regarded synonymously with atrial function, and in contrast to the reservoir and conduit phases, has been studied extensively. Typically, the importance of atrial contraction has been estimated by measurements of cardiac output and end-diastolic volumes both with and without effective atrial systole, by relative LV filling using Doppler transmitral velocimetry (E/A ratios) or radionuclide angiography, or by atrial shortening using 2D echocardiography, angiography, and sonomicrometry. Despite considerable investigation, the magnitude and relative importance of the atrial contribution to LV filling and cardiac output remain controversial and provide motivation for a more complete evaluation of the atrial cycle. In this regard, nearly half of the LV stroke volume and its associated energy is stored in the left atrium during ventricular systole, which acts as a ventricular restoring force during the ensuing ventricular diastole.1 This reservoir function of the left atrium is governed by atrial compliance, which is most rigorously measured by mathematically fitting atrial pressure and volume data during ventricular systole. A number of studies have shown, however, that the proportion of left atrial inflow during ventricular systole with Doppler pulmonary venous flow (ie, S/D ratios) can estimate relative reservoir function. Thus, we showed that an isolated change in left atrial compliance alters predictably reservoir function and the pattern of pulmonary venous flow.2 Decreased atrial compliance is associated with greater phasic atrial pressures but a lower mean level of atrial pressure during ventricular filling, and as a result, a smaller end-diastolic volume and decreased venous return.3 In contrast, increased atrial compliance increases early LV filling and atrial systolic shortening.4 See p 387 Pressure-strain analysis in the intact dog …

Role of Transthoracic Doppler Pulmonary Venous Flow Pattern in Large Atrial Septal Defects

Large uncomplicated atrial septal defect (ASD) alters the pulmonary venous flow (PVF) pattern. We aimed to study the role of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) in estimating the PVF Doppler abnormalities in ASD. By repeating the study soon after ASD closure, we correlated the hemodynamics of atrial shunting with PVF patterns. This study was performed in a tertiary care referral teaching hospital in 2003. The TTE PVF patterns of 34 patients with ASD were studied. TTE study was reported by two blinded investigators independently. Surgical closure of ASD was done on eleven patients and the early postoperative PVF Doppler pattern was also studied with TTE. PVF patterns were adequately recorded in 34 of 38 (90%) subjects with ASD with equal male: female ratio (n = 17 each). The mean age of the study group was 21.4 +/- 8.7 years. ASD ranged from 10 to 38 mm in diameter with a mean of 18 +/- 4.2 mm. Continuous antegrade wave (CAW, mean 68.45 +/- 13.6 cm/s) replaced normally occurring S and D waves in all ASD patients. The atrial reversal wave was reduced or absent (mean 20.18 +/- 3.28 cm/sec). After ASD closure, the CAW was replaced by the S (46.18 +/- 7.5 cm/sec) and D waves (57.72 +/- 9.7 cm/sec) with increase in atrial reversal wave to 27.81 +/- 5.1 cm/sec. The S and D antegrade waves normally seen in PVF are replaced by a continuous antegrade wave in ASD. Atrial reversal wave is also reduced. PVF waveform becomes normal after ASD closure. TTE PVF Doppler pattern can help estimate ASD hemodynamics.

Comparison of pulmonary venous flow velocities and left ventricular diastolic and ejection time in patients with moderate mitral and aortic stenosis. Pulmonary venous flow velocities in mitral and aortic stenosis.

Doppler pulmonary venous flow velocities (PVFV) pattern are useful parameters in assessing the left ventricular diastolic functions. Both mitral stenosis (MS) and aortic stenosis (AS) lead to diastolic dysfunction. We compared PVFV and left ventricular diastolic and ejection time (ET) in patients with moderate MS and AS. Forty-three patients with moderate MS (group 1), 65 patients with moderate AS (group 2), and 33 healthy subjects as controls (group 3) were included in this study. After obtaining standard measurements echocardiographically, diastolic period (DP), ET, the ratio of the DP to the ET (DP/ET), isovolumetric contraction time (ICT), isovolumetric relaxation time (IRT), peak systolic flow velocity (PS), peak antegrade diastolic flow velocity (PD), peak reversal flow velocity at atrial contraction (PRA), the ratio of the peak systolic to the diastolic flow velocity (PS/PD), deceleration time of the antegrade diastolic flow (PDDT), and pressure half time of the peak antegrade diastolic flow velocity (PDPHT) were measured. Mitral valve area (MVA), aortic valve area (AVA), systolic pulmonary artery pressure (PAP), peak and mean gradients were calculated with standard formulas. In univariate analysis, MVA was correlated with PDPHT and PDDT (r = -0.41; p < 0.01, r = -0.36; p < 0.05, respectively), also it was correlated with DP/ET (r = -0.57; p < 0.001). Mitral peak and mean diastolic gradient were correlated with PS/PD (r = -0.43; p < 0.01, r = -0.36; p < 0.05, respectively) and DP/ET (r = 0.51; p < 0.01, r = 0.46; p < 0.01, respectively). AVA was only correlated with DP/ET (r = 0.38; p < 0.05). Aortic peak and mean systolic gradient were correlated with PS/PD (r = -0.29; p < 0.05, r = -0.27; p < 0.05, respectively) and DP/ET (r = -0.38; p < 0.01, r = -0.40; p < 0.01, respectively). In the same analysis, PAP in patients in group 1 and 2 was correlated with PS/PD (r = -0.42; p < 0.01 and r = -0.40; p < 0.01, respectively) and also it was correlated with PD (r = 0.37; p < 0.05 and r = 0.27; p < 0.05, respectively) in both groups. Moderate MS and AS similarly affect the PVFV, and PS/PD correlates with hemodynamics similarly both in MS and AS. Nevertheless, PDDT and PDPHT correlate with solely MVA. IRT higher in AS than MS, though DP/ET and ICT higher in MS than AS, and DP/ET relates with the severity of both MS and AS.

Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of transthoracic pulmonary venous Doppler flow indices after acute myocardial infarction.

To examine the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility of pulmonary venous flow indices in patients with acute myocardial infarction. Two investigators, blinded to the results of the other examination, each examined 28 clinically stable post infarction patients in sinus rhythm. The two stored digital Doppler recordings from each patient were analysed in a blinded manner by both investigators to obtain the intra- and inter-observer reproducibility including both a new recording and new measurements. The intra- and inter-observer coefficients of variation for the different variables ranged between 5-15% and 8-23% respectively. For some of the indices there was a difference in means between the observers, and the indices were influenced in different degree by a new measurement and new recording. The degree of variability found in this study indicates wide relative limits of agreement, ranging from +/-10% to +/-45%. The reproducibility of pulmonary venous flow indices was only moderate with relatively wide limits of agreement. The reproducibility was, however, comparable to other echocardiographic measurements of left ventricular dimensions and function.

Respiratory variation of mitral and pulmonary venous doppler flow velocities in constrictive pericarditis before and after pericardiectomy

The objective of this study was to determine whether Doppler echocardiography is useful in assessing the effects of pericardiectomy in patients with constrictive pericarditis by studying the postoperative change in the respiratory variation of mitral inflow and pulmonary venous Doppler flows. The study population consisted of 35 cases with surgically proven constrictive pericarditis. Thirty-five patients had preoperative Doppler echocardiography, whereas 4 patients died of non-cardiac causes and 1 patient had a heart transplant before follow-up. Postoperative studies were performed at a mean of 1081 +/- 84 days (range 120-2700 days) after pericardiectomy. The mean (+/- SD) respiratory variation changed after surgery from a baseline value of 17% +/- 14% to 8% +/- 8% for peak mitral E velocity (P <.01); from 25% +/- 18% to 7% +/- 13% (P <.001) for pulmonary venous (PV) peak diastolic flow velocity, and from 21% +/- 13% to 11% +/- 13% (P =.009) for PV peak systolic flow velocity. The 23 patients who became asymptomatic after surgery had a significantly lower mean mitral and PV respiratory variation than the 7 patients who were NYHA class II (4% +/- 4% and 6% +/- 4% vs 21% +/- 6% and 19% +/- 10%, respectively, P <.0001 for both). Pulsed Doppler echocardiographic assessment of respiratory variation is useful for evaluating the outcome of pericardiectomy.

F125Fetal pulmonary venous Doppler flow velocity waveforms in congenital heart defects

Aim of the studyis to analyze blood flow velocity waveforms (FVW) in the pulmonary veins using pulsed Doppler ultrasound in fetuses with a prenatally detected congenital heart defect (CHD).MethodsIn 96 fetuses with various CHD Doppler FVW from the pulmonary veins were assessed. Gestational age varied between 18 and 38 weeks. Following Doppler parameters were analyzed and compared to reference ranges: systolic (S), diastolic (D) peak velocity, end‐diastolic velocity during atrial contraction (A), peak velocity index for veins (PVIV) and Pulsatility Index for veins (PIV).ResultsWe could distinguish 5 different patterns of FVW reflecting different stages of pulsatility and preload within the left atrium. Abnormal patterns were mainly observed in fetuses with left atrial obstruction and a restrictive foramen ovale having a reversed A‐wave as well as in mitral regurgitation.ConclusionsAbnormal FVW in fetal cardiac defects depend from the left atrial pressure rather than on the cardiac defect itself. Patterns of FVW can help in quick differentiation of increased interatrial pressure, which can impair early neonatal outcome.

Prognostic value of pulmonary venous flow Doppler signal in left ventricular dysfunction: contribution of the difference in duration of pulmonary venous and mitral flow at atrial contraction

OBJECTIVESWe assessed the contribution of difference in duration of pulmonary venous and mitral flow at atrial contraction (ARd-Ad) for prognostic stratification of patients with left ventricular (LV) systolic dysfunction.BACKGROUNDAlthough pulmonary venous flow (PVF) variables may supplement mitral flow patterns in evaluating left ventricular (LV) diastolic function, their value to the prognostic stratification of patients has not been investigated.METHODSPulsed wave Doppler mitral and PVF velocity curves were recorded in 145 patients (mean age: 70 years) with LV systolic dysfunction secondary to ischemic or nonischemic cardiomyopathy who were followed for 15 ± 8 months. In 38% of patients, PVF signal was enhanced by the intravenous (IV) administration of a galactose-based echo-contrast agent. Based on E-wave deceleration time ≤ or >130 ms and ARd-Ad, patients were grouped into restrictive (group 1, n = 40), nonrestrictive with ARd-Ad ≥30 ms (group 2, n = 55) and nonrestrictive with ARd-Ad <30 ms (group 3, n = 50).RESULTSDuring follow-up, 29 patients died from cardiac causes and 28 were hospitalized for worsening heart failure (HF). On multivariate Cox model, ARd-Ad ≥30 ms provided important prognostic information with regard to cardiac mortality and emerged as the single best predictor of cardiac events (cardiac mortality, hospitalization). The 24-month cardiac event-free survival was best (86.3%) for group 3; it was intermediate (37.9%) for group 2; and it was worst (22.9%) for group 1 (p < 0.0002 group 1 vs. 3; p < 0.0005 group 2 vs. 3; p < 0.0003 group 1 vs. group 2).CONCLUSIONSAssessment of ARd-Ad exhibited an independent value in the prognostic evaluation of patients with LV systolic dysfunction. Moreover, it contributed to identify patients at low, intermediate and high risk of cardiac events.

Doppler echocardiographic assessment of diastolic ventricular function: transmitral and pulmonary venous flow indices

Echocardiography has emerged as the non-invasive method of choice to evaluate congestive heart failure. In addition to its ability to assess systolic function, it has been increasingly used in the evaluation and diagnosis of diastolic dysfunction. This article will discuss the basic physiology of diastole, the complex interaction of factors that determine its course, and the transmitral and pulmonary venous flow Doppler correlates of diastolic events. Comprehensive interrogation of transmitral and pulmonary vein flows reliably predict the hemodynamic condition of the patient, define the spectrum of ventricular diastolic abnormalities and render unique prognostic data. A critical Doppler examination of these flows adds important information, non-invasively, to the clinical assessment of the patient with diastolic dysfunction.

The mitral regurgitation index: an echocardiographic guide to severity

OBJECTIVESThe purpose of this study was to develop a semiquantitative index of mitral regurgitation severity suitable for use in daily clinical practice and research.BACKGROUNDThere is no simple method for quantification of mitral regurgitation (MR). The MR Index is a semiquantitative guide to MR severity. The MR Index is a composite of six echocardiographic variables: color Doppler regurgitant jet penetration and proximal isovelocity surface area, continuous wave Doppler characteristics of the regurgitant jet and tricuspid regurgitant jet-derived pulmonary artery pressure, pulse wave Doppler pulmonary venous flow pattern and two-dimensional echocardiographic estimation of left atrial size.METHODSConsecutive patients (n = 103) with varying grades of MR, seen in the Adult Echocardiography Laboratory at UCSF, were analyzed retrospectively. All patients were evaluated for the six variables, each variable being scored on a four point scale from 0 to 3. The reference standards for MR were qualitative echocardiographic evaluation by an expert and quantitation of regurgitant fraction using two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiography. A subgroup of patients with low ejection fraction (EF <50%) were also analyzed.RESULTSThe MR Index increased in proportion to MR severity with a significant difference among the three grades in both normal and low EF groups (F = 130 and F = 42, respectively, p < 0.0001). The MR Index correlated with regurgitant fraction (r = 0.76, p < 0.0001). An MR Index ≥2.2 identified 26/29 patients with severe MR (sensitivity = 90%, specificity = 88%, PPV = 79%). No patient with severe MR had an MR Index <1.8 and no patient with mild MR had an MR Index >1.7.CONCLUSIONSThe MR Index is a simple semiquantitative estimate of MR severity, which seems to be useful in evaluating MR in patients with a low EF.

Pulmonary Venous Flow Doppler Velocities in Children

We report the results of a prospective study of pulmonary venous (PV) flow Doppler velocities in 68 normal children. We sought to establish the normal PV flow velocities in the broad pediatric population, compare these velocities to heart rate and age. In normal children, there is a wide range of PV flow velocities, most of which correlate with age and heart rate. However, the PV flow velocities and their durations do not distinguish the age groups. The peak velocity of systolic forward flow and atrial reversal flow in the pulmonary vein were independent of heart rate. The PV flow peak systolic velocity showed a weak correlation with the velocity of the mitral inflow early wave. However, the velocity of atrial reversal flow showed no correlation with the mitral inflow A velocity (late wave), which is generated by the same force of atrial contraction.(J Am Soc Echocardiogr 1998;11:132–7.)

Hemodynamic Determinants of Doppler Pulmonary Venous Flow Velocity Components: New Insights From Studies in Lightly Sedated Normal Dogs

Objectives. We sought to define the hemodynamic determinants of pulmonary venous (PV) flow velocities to assess how these are affected by respiration, heart rate and loading conditions.Background. Pulmonary venous flow velocity (PVFV) recorded with pulsed wave Doppler technique is currently used in the noninvasive evaluation of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function and filling pressures. Although previous studies in both animals and humans have shown that PV flow is pulsatile, the hemodynamic determinants of the individual components of this flow remain controversial. Understanding the physiologic mechanisms should help to better define the clinical utility of these Doppler techniques.Methods. PV flow velocities obtained with transesophageal pulsed wave Doppler imaging were recorded together with PV, left atrial (LA) and LV pressures in 10 sedated, spontaneously breathing normal dogs. PVFV and hemodynamic data were analyzed during apnea, inspiration and expiration, at atrial paced heart rates of 60, 80, 100 and 120 beats/min and mean LA pressures of 6, 12, 18 and 24 mm Hg.Results. The data showed that 1) PV pressure varied depending on recording site, resembling pulmonary artery pressure closer to the pulmonary capillary bed and LA pressure closer to the venoatrial junction; 2) PVFV qualitatively followed changes in the PV–LA pressure gradient; 3) four PVFV components exist under normal conditions—three of which follow phasic changes in LA pressure and one of which (the late systolic component) is more influenced by RV stroke volume and the compliance of the pulmonary veins and left atrium; 4) normal respiration and changes in heart rate significantly alter PVFV variables—in particular, reverse flow velocity at atrial contraction; and 5) increasing LA pressure results in larger PV A wave and PV early systolic flow velocities, as well as an earlier peak in PV late systolic flow velocity and a more prominent velocity minimum before PV diastolic flow.Conclusions. Using transesophageal pulsed wave Doppler technique, four PVFV components are identifiable and determined by PV–LA hemodynamic pressure gradients. These gradients appear to be influenced by a combination of physiologic events that include RV stroke volume, the compliance of the pulmonary vasculature and left atrium and phasic changes in LA pressure. PV flow velocity components are significantly influenced by heart rate, respiration and LA pressure. These findings have implications for the interpretation of LV diastolic function and filling pressures by current Doppler echocardiographic techniques but require further clinical investigation.

Improvement of pulmonary venous flow Doppler signal after intravenous injection of Levovist

The analysis of the pulmonary venous flow Doppler pattern can assist in the determination of the severity of mitral regurgitation and, in conjunction with transmitral flow pattern, the assessment of left ventricular diastolic dysfunction. In approximately one third of the cases, however, transthoracic ultrasonography is not able to record an adequately analyzable pulmonary venous flow pattern. The aim of the study was to examine and compare the effect of the echo-enhancing agent Levovist on the pulsed-wave Doppler flow quality of the transthoracic (TTE) and transesophageal (TEE) recorded pulmonary venous flow. In 26 consecutive patients a qualitative (score system) and quantitative analysis of pulmonary venous flow pattern was obtained before and after peripheral venous injection of Levovist at concentrations of 200 mg/ml (low dose) and 400 mg/ml (high dose). The amount of measurable studies for the antegrade pulmonary venous flow increased after the injection of Levovist from 85% to 96% for TTE and from 96% to 100% for TEE. The retrograde flow as seen by TTE was adequately analyzable in only 46% before and in 73% after the injection of Levovist (p < 0.02). Before any contrast enhancement the retrograde pulmonary venous flow recorded by TEE could be analyzed in 77% of the patients, with the percentage increasing to 88% and 92% after the administration of a low and high dose of Levovist, respectively (p < 0.05). In particular, the quality score of the retrograde flow was significantly altered by the administration of Levovist (increase from 1.8 +/- 1.0 to 2.6 +/- 1.1 [low dose Levovist], p < 0.05 and to 2.7 +/- 1.3 [high dose Levovist], p < 0.05). The pulsed-wave Doppler interrogation by TTE without Levovist underestimated the velocities of the antegrade and retrograde pulmonary venous flow. After Levovist was administered, the recorded values were comparable to those obtained by TEE. An analogous pattern is encountered when quantifying the duration of the retrograde flow component. Thus the peripheral venous injection of Levovist leads to an improved quality of the pulmonary venous flow Doppler signal recorded by TTE. On qualitative and quantitative evaluation the values recorded by TTE after administration of Levovist are comparable to those of the TEE technique without an echo-enhancing agent.